43rd AFSCME International Conference

The 43rd International Convention was held from July 16th- July 20th in Boston Massachusetts at the Boston Convention Center.

More than 5,000 delegates, and activists, there were over a 100 from Oregon alone, gathered to deliver a message of strength and solidarity: We will Rise Up even in the face of stern challenges, and we will never quit our union.

Throughout the week, we learned new union-building skills; discussed organizing strategies; re-committed to one-one-one conversations with co-workers; and learned how to fight back against corporate-funded campaigns to get us to drop our union

We also enjoyed speeches and presentations from the likes of Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat from Massachusetts, the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers, American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, SEIU president Mary Kay Henry, and last but not least, Stacy Chamberlain, Executive Director of Oregon AFSCME Council 75.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s Janus decision, we will be fearless and unwavering. In the face of these threats, we will be more emboldened and energized than ever. They can try to steal our freedom, but if we remain united in our commitment to our AFSCME family, then there is no obstacle we can’t overcome.

For more information about the convention, please go to www.afscme.org.